The world is well into the second year of the pandemic, and the new normal seems to be here for the foreseeable future. Even though businesses embraced remote working models as a quick fix, many have let employees work from home for the long haul. For the rest, it seems to be a choice model amid resurgences and repeat lockdowns. As a working professional, you may want to reconsider your readiness for extended WFH. Your home Wi-Fi should be on top of the checklist, as you must ensure it is good enough. Here are some steps that can help.
Reassess your ISP
Without any doubt, choosing the right Internet Service Provider (ISP) is vital for WFH employees. After a year of working from home, you will probably know the upsides and downsides of your current ISP. Think twice about the factors like connection speed, stability, and service record of the provider. Consider their customer service during the last year, and you will have your answer whether you are happy with the ISP or want to switch.
Reconsider your Wi-Fi plan
While you may give second thoughts to your ISP, it may be a good time to reconsider your plan. You have a fair idea of your needs and the requirements of your spouse and kids because they will probably need to share Wi-Fi for work and study. Since the arrangement seems to be here to stay, getting a bigger plan with higher speed and greater bandwidth makes sense.
Upgrade your router
You will want to give your best as you work from home for the long haul, and investing in a new router is a good idea. If you use a Mac, upgrade to the best router for Mac to maximize your Wi-Fi’s speed. You will experience the difference with this investment, which is worth spending on. Your employer will bear the WFH expense, which means you need not worry about the cost.
Steer clear of dead zones.
By now, you will probably know the dead zones in the house, and it will be easier to steer clear of them. The best piece of advice is to invest in a home office since you will have to work from home for the foreseeable future. Pick the spot that never fumbles with the Wi-Fi so that you can work seamlessly without disruptions. Ensure that there aren’t any signal barriers around.
Prioritize work traffic
Expect WFH to get a tad more challenging if you have kids and housemates around. The challenge extends beyond regular distractions as they will also hog your bandwidth and slow the Wi-Fi speed. You can address the issue by keeping their internet traffic from affecting yours. It is easier than you think. Using different frequency bands by splitting them into two separate networks helps. Dedicate one band to work-related traffic only to get a significant improvement in your experience.
Extended WFH may not be the best news, but it is the need of the hour. You cannot avoid it, but you can still do your bit to ensure high productivity and seamless efficiency. These measures to enhance your home Wi-Fi can surely help.
Leave a Reply